Japan, Russia, France Agree to Send Strong Message to N. Korea

Tokyo, Sept. 12 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida agreed Monday with his Russian and French counterparts to send a strong message to prevent further provocative acts by North Korea. Kishida also shared the view in separate telephone talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault that the nuclear test conducted by the reclusive state on Friday is unacceptable. The three pledged to cooperate closely to adopt a new U.N. Security Council resolution against the move. "This is a threat on a different level to before," Kishida underscored in the talks. He also told them that Tokyo already filed a protest with Pyongyang over the nuclear test through their respective embassies in Beijing. Lavrov said that the nuclear test was a grave violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, posing a serious threat to the region and the nternational community. Ayrault noted France supports Japan's position, adding that the international community needs to work together on the issue. Kishida told reporters that he is arranging a teleconference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. END